Walker, De Bruyne & Doku return to Man City squad v Bournemouth but two shock drop-outs

After all the talk of Manchester City’s recent injury crisis, the squad that arrived at the Vitality on Saturday had a replenished feel to it.

Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku had all been ruled out until after the international break in recent weeks, but the trio were named in the squad against Bournemouth on Saturday.

But as three returned, two more dropped out. Pep Guardiola said in midweek that Ruben Dias was struggling and he was not part of the City squad, nor was John Stones, who played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

City made seven changes from that game, with only Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes retaining their places against Bournemouth.

Ederson returned to the XI after dropping out at Spurs, while Walker started at right-back, with Rico Lewis selected on the bench. Manuel Akanji was also named in the team after a knock in the warm-up on Wednesday had forced him to drop out late in the capital. Ake was joined by Josko Gvardiol in the back four.

Mateo Kovacic, Gundogan and Foden were selected in midfield, with Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland both returning to the team in the offensive areas. Nunes continues on the left, after an run of two goals and three assists in his last three.

On the bench, De Bruyne and Doku were joined by Savinho, who was stretchered off at Spurs, while youngsters Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Jacob Wright, Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee were also named among the substitutes.

City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Foden; Silva, Haaland; Nunes. Subs: Ortega, Doku, De Bruyne, Savinho, Wright, Simpson-Pusey, O’Reilly, Lewis, McAtee.

Bournemouth XI: Travers; Smith. Senesi, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson. Subs: Dennis, Huusen, Brooks, Adama, J.Araujo, Hill, Enes Unal, Philip, Aarons.

MANCHESTER WORLD